Minutes
Thursday 21st October 2010
Village Hall 7.15pm
Present
Chairperson Joan Angus.
Clerk Helen Brewis
Parish Council Members Joyce Shaw, Alan
Punton, Pauline Baird, John Gallon & Michael Craster.
In Attendance CC John Taylor.
Members of the public Mrs M Taylor &
Mr & Mrs Doherty.
1315. Member of NCC Highways Department in
attendance.
The NCC Highways representative was unable to attend.
Grass Verge Outside The Church.
An email was read out from the Craster Art Club concerning parking near
to the Hall on Mondays. When the grassed area is full they find
difficulty in parking on Heugh Wynd & have received complaints from
the residents. Many of their members are older & it’s too far
for them to walk from the quarry car park with all their equipment.
Action Point: CC John Taylor will find
out how much it will cost to have the grassed area covered with plastic
webbing or tarmac. He may be able to secure some funding from his
Members Scheme & the Parish Council will contact all groups
concerned who use the grass for parking for a donation towards the
balance.
Action Point: Clerk to email the Art
Group with an update & to suggest that when they park near the Hall
could they park with consideration for the residents accesses & to
allow enough space for larger vehicles to drive along Heugh Wynd.
Action Point: Alan Punton will speak to
the owner of the camper van which parks on the grass concerning it
being moved whilst the work is being carried out.
Brown Signposts.
Action Point: CC John Taylor will find
out how much it will cost per sign.
Double Yellow Lines & additional Car Parking
Places.
Action Point: Clerk to put on the Agenda
for the next Meeting.
1316. Apologies for absence.
Elizabeth Pearson & Michael Robson.
1317. Confirmation of minutes of last meeting.
The September Minutes were accepted as a true record.
1318. NWL Sewerage Update.
Joan Angus has been corresponding with the Chairman of
the CCT concerning the proposed Joint Meeting – they have decided that
this Meeting is no longer required as the money breakdown has been
agreed.
The general feeling within the village is that everyone is very happy
with the way the work is going, although the traffic is coming into the
village slower than the leaving traffic.
Action Point: Clerk to email Charles
Harman the NWL Project Manager to pass on our thanks for the works
smooth running.
Action Point: Clerk to find out who has
the best interest rates for the NWL money.
1319. Matters arising from minutes of last
meeting.
Affordable Housing Policy. – report from the Area
Forum on Housing.
Action Point: Clerk to circulate.
Fireworks & Chinese lanterns.
Action Point: Clerk to chase up.
Craster Harbour
Overflow Pipe.
Action Point: Clerk to find out when it
will be repaired.
Whin Hill Open Notice Board.
A new one has been made.
Joint NCC/Parish Council Meeting.
Pauline Baird hadn’t been able to attend.
Mr J Gallon – Conflict of Interest, PC Member on
the CCT & PC Member on the CCT’s level of responsibility.
John Gallon’s proposed policy for the role of the Parish Council’s
representative on the Community Trust was discussed.
Michael Craster proposed that the Council adopt the policy &
Pauline Baird seconded. All were in favour.
The Proposed Policy
1. The Representative of the Parish Council on the
Community Trust is there to act in the best interests of the Parish
Council, and should have the authority to act in what they consider to
be those best interests if the matter has not been previously discussed
by the Parish Council.
2. The Representative has a duty to bring any
Community Trust matters of which they have fore-warning to the Parish
Council for discussion so that the Parish Council can agree in an open
way what the its policy in this particular matter should be.
3. If matters arise between Parish Council meetings
where the Council’s Representative may be required to cast a vote at a
Community Trust meeting, then the Representative in conjunction with
the Parish Clerk should seek feedback from as many Parish Councillors
as possible before the Community Trust vote.
4. If matters arise at a Community Trust meeting
which have not been previously raised with Parish Councillors, the
Representative should have the authority to act in what they judge to
be the best interests of the Parish Council.
5. There should be a standing agenda item on the
Parish Council agenda for Craster Community Trust Matters where the
Council’s Representative should report back on matters raised at the
Community Trust, and the Council should agree on how the Representative
should act on matters to be raised at future Community Trust
meetings. In many cases, there may be nothing to report, but this
agenda item will allow the Council to formalise the relationship and
ensure that it is seen to be acting in a proper and transparent manner.
Summary
The way that the Parish Council relationship with the
Community Trust is currently managed is untenable and unworkable.
There is no legal mandate to support the current policy. This
policy should be replaced by one that respects the ability of the
Council’s Representative to act in the best interests of the Parish
Council, and a robust system of reporting back should be established to
ensure that these interests are being correctly served.
Action Point: Clerk to put Craster
Community Trust Matters on all future Agendas.
Withdrawal as representative on the CCT.
Rosie Robson has resigned as the Parish Council’s representative on the
CCT.
Action Point: Clerk to put on the Agenda
for the next Meeting.
Mrs J Shaw – Seats at the entrance to Craster.
Will be done in the next fortnight.
1320. Planning Matters.
CC John Taylor declared a personal interest.
A/2010/0334–Dunstan Hill
Campingsite-extension/hardstanding. No objections.
A/2010/0370 – Former Nursery Garden 21 Whin
Hill-vary condition 14 of approval. The access road was
discussed as concerns were raised about the impact it would have on
Heugh Wynd. No objections.
A/2010/0402 – 3 Smithy Court Dunstan – 1 new
dwelling. No objections.
A/2010/0407 – 5 Dunstanburgh Road – extension
& garage. In circulation
A/2010/0437 – Dunstan Steads Farm Buildings. In
circulation.
1321. Financial Matters.
Bank Balance: £6,987.22
Cheques issued:-
BDO
Stoy – Annual Return £141.00
Embleton Burial Committee £657.50
H
Brewis (wages/expenses) £413.61
The
Annual Return was approved & accepted by the Council.
1322. Correspondence received.
Archaeology in Northumberland – Volume 19. In
circulation.
NCC – Stronger Together – Medium Term Strategy. Noted.
NALC – AGM & County Committee Nomination.
Noted.
NCC – Charter For Local Councils update.
In circulation.
NCC – Local referendums to veto excessive
Council Tax increases consultation. In circulation.
FONDT – Newsletter July/August 2010. In
circulation.
NCC – Sept. Briefing Note. Noted.
Councillor Resignations – Michael Taylor &
Rosie Robson.
Action Point: Clerk to contact NCC &
advertise the posts.
Mr M Craster – Dunstan Footpath post near the
bus stop.
Action Point: NCC to repair/replace.
NCC – Grit bins.
Action Point: Clerk to contact NCC
concerning the cracked grit bins at South Acres & Dunstan Smithy
bank.
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